Harrington Elementary

1. Harrington Elementary Curriculum Night 2013

2. FACULTY/STAFF • New Faculty/Staff at Harrington • Grade 4: Mrs. Sullivan • Grade 3: Mrs. Cote • Grade 2: Mrs. Kanef (for Ms. Martin) • Computer: Mrs. Buckley • Reading: Mrs. Dobski • PSP: Mrs. Green • IPSP: Mr. Cole, Ms. Armagost, Mrs. Boudreau

3. Great News • New Kiln for the Art Program! • New Ventilation System! • Security Cameras—outside/playground • Courtyard • More projectors mounted in classrooms—wireless keyboards added in all rooms • Additional interactive boards • Brand new 2nd computer lab! • IPad Pilot in Library!

4. More Great News! • Continued strong MCAS scores • Parent reports will be send in October • Enrollment approximately 470, K-4 • Many new and continuing initiatives….

5. Curriculum Initiatives • Universal Screening-All students are given an assessment to determine where they are in terms of their Reading competency. This is given 3 times a year. Those who are struggling are receiving support and their progress is monitored for a six week period. • UDL (Universal Design for Learning)—This initiative is based on designing lesson plans which can break any “barriers” that students may face including regular and special education students. • Math Intervention— Ms. AnalaGuertin worked with students last year individually and in small groups throughout the year to support students in math-this will continue this year.

6. Curriculum Initiatives.. • Math Benchmarks were piloted last year—these will continue again this year both online and paper/pencil • “Word of the Week”.Each week there is a new word announced and students are asked to use the word in a sentence. Each week a “winner” is selected from each grade level. The words are displayed in the Cafeteria and in the Main Lobby. • Summer Curriculum work was done to improve our Writing Rubrics and Program throughout the district.

7. Curriculum Initiatives • Revised Pacing Guide in Math to align with the Common Core Standards. • Continuation of Study Island Math Program in Grades 3-4 • Continued implementation of the Common Core Standards

8. What is the Common Core? • The Common Core Standards set goals for student mastery in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The study of ELA includes reading, writing, speaking and listening. Expectations are established for each grade across all subjects including science, history, and technology. The math standards emphasize that every student can be good in math. They set good math habits and strategies for students in each grade which include problem solving, persistence, precision, use of solid procedures and checking to see if the answer makes sense. • www.achievethecore.org • www.corestandards.org

9. Schedule • We piloted and now have implemented a new schedule. Some of the highlights are: • Professional Development/Data Meeting time for teachers during the school day without interruptions to instruction • Longer blocks of instruction • Extended Specialist Programs • Recess before lunch • Streamlines Specialist Supports—Instructional Blocks

10. SST/SPED Referral Process • What if I am concerned about my child’s academic process—what should I do? • What is SST? • What is a SPED “Evaluation”? • IEP and 504??? • Communication is key!

11. Specialists • As a school we believe in educating the whole child. Our Specialists are an important part of the education your child receives. • Please make sure to pick up a brochure which describes the content/curriculum of our programs which include • Art • Music • Library • Computers • Physical Education

12. Volunteers Needed • Library and Computer Volunteers • Any parent or guardian interested in helping as a Parent Volunteer - information will be available … • In your child’s classroom • Email a form request to • buckleyd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us -Computer • defreitasb@chelmsford.k12.ma.us -Library

13. School Initiatives/Bullying • Second Step Program. This is a district wide program designed to address a variety of social and behavior topics with students. This year we have an updated program which will be used in the classroom. • Grade Level Meetings. We have Grade Level Meetings once a month. This month we talked about a variety of school issues and expectations.

14. School Initiatives/Bullying…… • “Think About It” Sheets. We are continuing the use of these sheets which allows students who may have been misbehaving to write down what happened in their own words. This sheet is sent home to parents to sign and return. If a student develops a pattern with these sheets, more discussions will take place. • We continue to use the Bullying Rubric as a guide which was developed a few years ago. This Rubric allows us to have concrete consequences and expectations. Our rubric is available on the Chelmsford Website.

15. School Initiatives/Bullying…. • “The Peaceful Bus” • Collaborative Problem Solving Program based on the work of Dr. Ross Greene • “Meaningful Mentors” Program • Guidance Lessons for Teachers • “Superflex” program • “Positive Postcards” • PRIDE Initiative-PRIDE Paws, Harry

16. PTO! • Help is always needed. • First meeting is next Monday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library. • Funds used for Playground Maintenance, Enrichment Programs, Upgrades in Technology, and many other worthwhile programs! • THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved and helped out! • harringtonpto@hotmail.com You can send an e-mail to be put on this important list

17. Nuts and Bolts! • Students should not be dropped off before 8:45 a.m. If you are walking your child to the doors, please do not cross in front of the buses. • A reminder that you cannot drive to the front of the school in the morning—it is also a traffic violation to pass a bus with it’s flashing lights on. • Attendance—please call in an absence to our Clerk. You also need to send in a note when your child returns. • Reminder: Students must be fever free for 24 hours without medication in order to return to school • SECURITY is key! Anytime you enter the building during school hours you need to check into the office and sign in. Parents/Adults should not bring students directly to classrooms. All adults who are visiting should wear a nametag.

18. More Nuts and Bolts! • Communication with teachers—best via e-mail, especially during the day (last name, first initial @chelmsford.k12.ma.us) • If you dismiss your child before the regular dismissal time you need to do so before 3:00 p.m. After 3:00 please wait at the regular dismissal area • Do you need to update your contact information? Please contact the office with any new information and update X2 via the Family Portal • Harrington Happenings now goes out each Friday to all primary e-mail addresses in X2. You do not need to subscribe to it.

19. Whew!! • If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. E-mail is the best way to reach me at: lacavam@chelmsford.k12.ma.us • Quick Questions?

20. Have a Great Evening! • Reminder that tonight there will be presentations and not individual conferences. • We will conclude at 6:15 p.m. • Looking forward to an AMAZING year at Harrington!!!! • At this time, please move to your child’s classroom.